Sydney Whale Watching Cruise with Whale Sighting Guarantee
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Sydney, Australia
- 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Cruise the ocean waters to look for humpback and southern right whales as they migrate between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef. Your whale-watching experience starts from Sydney Harbour and heads to the open ocean on a custom-built catamaran with large viewing windows and spacious decks that provide excellent sightlines. Often, dolphins, seabirds, and other marine animals make an appearance during the whale-watching tour, which lasts a couple of hours.
- The open-air viewing decks provide great whale-watching opportunities
- Enjoy the picturesque sights of Sydney Harbour on your way to the open ocean
- Cruises are seasonal, running only between May and November
- Depart from Circular Quay, an easy-to-find central-city location
What's Included
- Live commentary on board
- 2.5 Hour Whale Watching Cruise
- Food and drinks (available to purchase)
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Circular Quay Wharf 6Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Please check in 30-minutes prior. Cruises depart from Circular Quay Wharf 6, excluding 20Jul-28Aug2026 due to wharf upgrades. During this period cruises depart Commissioner's Steps, located approx 2-minute flat walk towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge from Wharf 6 (not wheelchair accessible).
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Ticket Redemption Point
Circular Quay Wharf 6, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
What To Expect
1
Sydney Harbour
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Most travelers can participate
- Please dress appropriately and wear warm clothing. It will often feel cooler at sea
- If you are susceptible to travel sickness, please bring the relevant medication
- Whale Guarantee: If a whale is not sighted during your cruise, you'll be given the opportunity to cruise again for free within the same season
- Reconfirmation Hotline - Call +61-2-8062 3623 from 7.15am on the day of your cruise to confirm the cruise is going ahead. Cruises may be cancelled subject to weather conditions.
- Whale Watching Child Policy: Infants 0-3 years are not recommended. Child fare available for Children 4-15 years. Minimum of one supervising adult for every four children is required.
- IMPORTANT: 20 Jul - 28 Aug 2026 the cruise departs Commissioner's Steps (not wheelchair accessible), due to NSW Maritime wharf upgrades.
- Not recommended for travelers 3 years and younger
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 120 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Lisa_M
Fantastic morning whale watching! The tour guides were fantastic, all the boat staff were! We seen lots of pods. Would definitely do this tour again.
Reviews
4.3
based on 225 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Prashant_T, Jun 2026
We had a fantastic time. Thankfully it was a sunny day, we got to see multiple whale breaches and two pods of Dolphins swam right up to us. Saw several whale tales too. And our guide was positively hilarious. Strongly recommend this activity.
Louise_W, Jun 2026
The boat was one of the harbour hop on/off ferries - it had no shelter on the top deck, the lower level had limited covered outside space and the interior is a fully seated area, no access to stand near windows. The interior is not well ventilated and by the end smelt of vomit. Fortunately it was not too rough a day but it was chilly, with significant wind and rainy and very cold to remain on the top deck.
The captain and commentator did a good job but it simply was a bad vessel for this purpose and NOT a purpose specific vessel as advertised. CHOOSE AN ALTERNATIVE CRUISE PROVIDER.
Sanjana_K, Jun 2026
Amazing experience, really funny host, the weather we had on our specific date was a cherry on top 10/10
Marianne_S, Jun 2026
We went out about 25 minutes into the sea. We were in the 1:30 tour. There were a lot of whales. The tour guide, Bianca, was so excited. She is there every day and said it’s unusual for them to be so close to the boat. We had a fantastic time. We brought our own water and snacks and there were bathrooms on board. There was an open air top part to the boat and a lower enclosed area with windows so you could choose your level of comfort. They also provided just in case bags. I’m not aware of anyone getting sick on the tour but we were told it is common. I took a Bonine before we boarded, so I did not get sick. I would 100% recommend this tour. Both Bianca and another employee Luca were great and they shared the passengers excitement and enthusiasm when seeing the whales. (As well as the captain.)
Spencer_A, Jun 2026
Great knowledge-able commentary with a good mix of humour. Our particular group was very involved and chatty which helped the experience. Absolutely worth it
Ana_V, Jun 2026
Truly an incredible experience! I know we got extremely lucky because we saw many whale breaches during our tour but just really was amazing. The commentary throughout was very interesting and educational. Absolutely loved it!
jackie_H, May 2026
Whale watching,imformative,knowledge was outstanding,funny and most enjoyable
The fact that if we didnt see wecould return was fab.
Sharon_D, May 2026
Thank goodness I didn't throw up. Lots of people were throwing up. It was really gross. We did see a lot of siteings of whales though. It was a very rewarding experience. If the man, women, and child sitting behind my hadn't been throwing up most of the experience it would have been a good morning. All I could do to not get sick, become a propriety.
Boyd_H, May 2026
I’d love to tell you about the experience but unfortunately we turned up to find that the trip had been cancelled two days prior due to poor conditions. I received no communication other than notifications about where to meet and at what time. We went to the tour operator kiosk to find out what had happened and were told they’d notified Viator two days ago. Viator sent no cancellation email and made no effort to tell us not to travel. No refund offered either.
A completely wasted morning out of the few we had available, having travelled from the UK.
Won’t use Viator again and wouldn’t recommend them to anyone else.
Jarnell_T, May 2026
Spend your money at your risk! Best thing to come out of this tour was the people I met... we saw 4-5 whales but they barely stuck their heads and tales out the water... and it was for less than a second. So the photo of their full bodies hoping out of the water on the viators tour photo is false advertisement. The most you'll see is their backs or tales slightly poking from out the water from a distance once every 20 minutes.
Isabel_I, Nov 2025
While the trip indicates you can sign up for a free ride if you do not see any whales- that doesn’t help someone like me from out of the country and likely to not have another time to do this. We did not see any whales on this trip.
Silvia_T, Nov 2025
The guide was quite nice and we managed to see a little group of whales and hang around them without rush. Very recommended!
fionajackson12, Oct 2025
Beautiful trip. Not too rough waters and they give barf bags just in case. The tour guide was very informative and taught us a lot about whales in general. Got to see a mother, her baby, and their escort. Beautiful day
desi_s, Oct 2025
I thought we may see a whale fin in the distance, but nope, we were treated to consistent breaching of the water by a baby whale her mum was regularly surfacing. This went on for a good 15 minutes. Very enjoyable.
Tip - sit on the top of the boat (in the open air) and in the front.
- bring a hoodie or long-sleeved top as it can get cool out in the sea.
Kay_P, Oct 2025
Disappointing. You could not hear the commentary on the upper deck. People were crowding the rails upstairs and finally asked to go downstairs for safety if not seated. No advice given regarding etiquette so everyone on both sides got to see whales, people just moved from side to side blocking others views. Other smaller boats in the same area had better viewing of the whales it was like we had to give priority viewing to the smaller vessels. Would not book again.
Frank_S, Oct 2025
Whales are special animals because they do whatever they want to do. If they show up they do, if they don't, they don't. We were fortunate to have our crew bring us near a few pods and saw some whale tales and hump backs. Our crew even brought us near a few sunbathing Seals. All in all, a great cruise. Enoy!1
Jennett_V, Oct 2025
This was an epic trip. We were able to see a couple of whales pop out of the ocean. The crew were super friendly and we felt safe while on the boat. Highly recommend!
Barbara_B, Oct 2025
This experience delivered! We saw whales breach so many times! Simply amazing! Mother & calf! Highly recommend
Carson_L, Oct 2025
We really enjoyed watching the whales. As soon as we left the harbour we saw whales. They were breaching and playing it was beautiful. The boat kept us on whales the entire time.
I would definitely prepare for this trip with medicine or patches if you get sea sick. We had a lot of other people around us get sick. They give out throw up bags but probably avoidable with medicine. Not sure if it’s normally that rough tho.
The speaker was great and very knowledgeable
Sheila_B, Oct 2025
The sea was very choppy and many passengers were sick. However, there were multiple sightings of whales, fins, blowholes etc so it was a wonderful experience. We came from England to visit our son and his family who emigrated last year.
Belinda_B, Oct 2025
Be ready with a thrilling feelings😂😄
But then it was a good experience though😊😊🌸🌸
Appreciated the nice scenery and of course the whales 🐳
Gary_S, Oct 2025
Amazing experience loved it!!! The breaching Humpbacks were amazing. I think a little refreshments would be a good idea. Because there is nothing for 2.5hrs unless you take your own.
Glen_B, Oct 2025
Only negative was the attendees were crowding around railing constantly blocking others photo opportunities. Need clear guidelines to share space and enforce them !!! The guide is as good. She asked people to step back for others and not as rudely ignored. Made for a disappointing experience.
Nasia_N, Oct 2025
It was such a great experience! There is no guarantee that you will see whales, but right as we got out, we saw some breaching and being so active in the water! We even saw sea lions on the way back! The guide was so knowledgeable, a great speaker, and a kind human being. Would 100% recommend to anyone wanting the chance to see some of the most beautiful creatures in nature.
Jia_L, Sep 2025
A wonderful journey
It was a wonderful journey, extremely exciting. During this trip, we saw many whales leaping out of the water and several very cute dolphins.
Tony_c, Sep 2025
Highly recommend this whale watching experience. Friendly, and knowledgeable crew. Got to see many whale sightings.
Lisa_M, Sep 2025
Fantastic morning whale watching! The tour guides were fantastic, all the boat staff were! We seen lots of pods. Would definitely do this tour again.
Laura_C, Aug 2025
Great experience, we saw many whales and a few also did big jumps. The commentary was very interesting but it was hard to hear in the back of the boat, which is the only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars. They are also well accustomed to visitors being sea sick and had everything needed. Overall, it was great!
Chris_M, Aug 2025
Fantastic encounter with a calf in the breech position. Was worried that it was a bit late in the season but no problem.
Some confusion over tickets with staff wondering around saying you needed your QR code to get on and if you didn’t have it your should go to the ticket counter and get it printed out. Well I only had a barcode that I had put in my apple wallet -
Nicola_K, Aug 2025
We took our trip in August so knew we were less likely to see the whales.
We were out for almost an hour and a half before the first sighting and it was just a glimpse.
We had two further sightings bit again, just a glimpse.
The guide was informative.
From $63.57
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Sydney Whale Watching Cruise with Whale Sighting Guarantee
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